Mossman students develop their own Farmers Market

Desmond Adjei and Samantha Lowrance happily show off tomatoes both large and small they have raised over the past few months at Mossman Elementary.

Mossman Elementary students at Education Village in League City are getting a whole new take on life. They have formed a garden club and have their own Farmers Market.

They not only know how to plant seeds and grow plants, they are learning to take care of their garden and then set up tables to sell their home grown tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and more.

The Farmers Market was designed, led and managed by 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in the Garden Club. “This is incredible for my child, to be able to grow, harvest and then sell their produce. She loves the Garden Club,” said Mary McFarther, parent of Mossman 4th grader Lillianna McFarther.

The Discovery Garden was funded by a $5,000 Clear Creek Education Foundation grant along with a Harris County grant for $25,000. Biotech students at Clear Falls High School started seedlings for the garden. “We determine what the seeds need to grow and then the Mossman students take care of the plants,” explained Clear Falls 11th grader Emily James. The seedlings are grown in a new greenhouse.

Mossman students Trent Hurst, left, and Marcos Lara line up pumpkins the elementary students grew for the Education Village school’s Farmers Market.

Their recent harvest included jalapenos, bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and herbs. They also maintain a compost pile. According to Mossman Principal Stephanie McBride, “Our fourth graders took three marketing classes at Clear Falls High to learn how to market and advertise this new venture and our fifth graders took three business classes and began developing a business plan for the spring Farmers Market.”

Libby Smith, a CFHS teacher, had her students lead these classes. The students have also planted fruit trees in hopes of branching out with new items to sell next year.

“I just bought some vegetables and watched the students use mental math strategies to count my change correctly,” said Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Holly Hughes. The students aren’t the only ones digging in at Mossman, the teachers who make up the Discovery Garden cadre work early mornings and in the evening after school.